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Thesis

Publishing a doctoral or master’s thesis is a fundamental step to give visibility to your research. Editorial Mar Caribe maintains specific quality standards to ensure that the content is suitable for commercial and academic distribution. Below, we detail the general technical specifications and the steps necessary to adapt your degree project to the book format under this seal:

1. File Format and Text

For the editing and layout process to be smooth, the manuscript must comply with the following:

  • File: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx). PDF files are not usually accepted for the editing phase.
  • Typography: Arial or Times New Roman at 12 points.
  • Line spacing: 1.5 or double spaced.
  • Margins: Standard (2.5 cm on each side).
  • Length: Although it depends on the topic, a minimum of 100 pages and a maximum of 400 pages are suggested for academic books.

2. Manuscript Structure

It is vital to transform the «thesis» format (rigid and administrative) into a «book» format (more fluid for the reader). The recommended structure is:

  • Preliminary pages: Title of the work, name of the author as it will appear on the cover, and a brief resume (100 words).
  • Abstract: In Spanish and English (maximum 250 words).
  • Keywords: 3 to 5 terms.
  • Body of text: Chapters clearly numbered. It is recommended to eliminate excessively long acknowledgments or very personal dedications that do not contribute to the academic value of the book.
  • Bibliography: It must be updated and unified under a single citation system.

3. Citation and Style Rules

Editorial Mar Caribe usually requests strict compliance with:

  • APA Standards (6th or 7th Edition): This is the most common standard. Make sure that all the quotes in the text match the reference list exactly at the end.
  • Footnotes: Should be used only for substantial clarification, not for citing sources (if APA is used).

4. Graphic Elements

If your thesis includes tables, graphs, or images:

  • Quality: Images must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
  • Format: They should preferably be sent in separate files (JPG or PNG) in addition to being inserted in Word.
  • Rights: You must have reproduction permissions if the images are not your own.

5. Legal Documentation Required

When sending your proposal to Editorial Mar Caribe, you will normally have to attach:

  1. Letter of originality: Declaring that the work is of your authorship and has not been previously published as a book.
  2. Assignment of rights: Signed contract for the reproduction and distribution of the work.
  3. Academic endorsement: In some cases, the certificate of approval of the thesis or a letter of recommendation from your tutor/supervisor is requested.

Recommendation of «Curatorship»

A common mistake is to send the thesis as it was presented to the jury. In order for Editorial Mar Caribe to accept your work more easily, I suggest you clean up the bureaucratic language (e.g. avoid phrases such as «in this research it is intended to demonstrate…») and turn it into a more proactive and informative tone.

An editorial proposal is the most important sales document for an academic. Their goal is not only to show that your research is good, but to convince Editorial Mar Caribe that your book is necessary, relevant, and commercially viable.

Structure of the Editorial Proposal

1. General Information

  • Provisional title: It must be attractive and descriptive (different from the technical title of the thesis).
  • Author: Full name, academic degree and institutional affiliation.
  • Category: (Ex: Social Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, etc.).

2. Executive Summary

Write an abstract of maximum 300 words. You must respond to:

  • What problem or question does the book solve?
  • What is the central thesis or the main discovery?
  • Why is it important to publish it now?

3. Target Audience (Market)

The publisher needs to know who the book is aimed at.

  • Primary audience: Graduate students, specialized researchers.
  • Secondary audience: Professionals in the area, public institutions, university libraries.
  • Potential use: Could it be a textbook for a specific subject?

4. Differential Value and Competition

List 2 or 3 similar books that already exist and explain what makes yours different:

  • «Unlike [Book X], my work includes updated data on the impact of COVID-19 in the Caribbean region…»
  • «This book offers an unprecedented methodological approach that is not found in the current literature.»

5. Annotated Index

Don’t just name the chapters. Write a short paragraph (3-4 lines) for each chapter explaining its content and how it contributes to the overall plot of the book. This shows that the work has a solid structure.

6. Technical Specifications

  • Estimated length: Total number of words (including bibliography).
  • Graphic material: Indicates how many tables, maps or photographs are included and whether they are in black and white or color.
  • Status of the work: Is it finished or in the process of revision? How long will it take to deliver the final manuscript?

7. Author Profile (Bio)

A summary of your academic career (maximum 150 words). Highlight your previous publications, awards, international presentations or your role as a teacher.

Tips to make your proposal stand out:

  • Avoid «thesis language»: Instead of saying «The goal of this research was to analyze…», use «This book analyzes…»
  • Regional focus: Be sure to highlight whether your research has relevance to Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, or tropical/island contexts, as this is usually their line of interest.
  • Clarity about rights: Be sure to mention whether the university where you defended the thesis allows you to publish it independently (usually yes, but it’s good to be clear).

You can send your doctoral or master’s thesis to the email: contacto@editorialmarcaribe.uy or to the submission form.